How to curb nervous habit?

Question

I am almost constantly scratching my scalp or playing with my hair. Often I do it without realizing I'm doing it. Any suggestions on how to stop doing this?

Answer 1

You must be female...very common habit among females, to play or twirl their hair, can't comment on the scratching thing.

They say it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. So, try as best as you can to keep your hands folded nicely in your lap. In addition, if you live with family or friends, enlist their help to aid you in at least becoming aware of the habit. If you have a co-worker you can "trust" ask them as well. At this point it has probably become an unconscious habit so you need to retrain your brain: You need to be made aware that you are doing it. A code word works well. Instead of saying "Stop twisting your hair!" They can say "Bubblegum" or something so that you can develop a new awareness to the situation.

In addition, I don't know the length of your hair however if it is long enough try to wear it up, so that if you play with it, it'll look bad.

Save the scalp scratching for the hair washing.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Does your scalp itch? Maybe you are not rinsing your hair well enough. Heck, I play with my hair all the time, too, but it's usually when I'm bored. When you become aware of it, stop and busy your hands with something else. Hold a book, a pen, do something else distracting. The thing is you are aware of it. That's the first step to stopping it.

Answer 3

You have to make yourself be conscious of it somehow. And make sure that you do not have a scalp problem that is making your scalp itch, first. If not, it is a nervous habit and you can try the rubber band method of negative reinforcement. Wear a rubber band on your wrist and every time you catch yourself with your hand to your head in your repetitive action, pop yourself with the band. In other words, your're punishing yourself. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

Answer 4

I bite my nails and the skin around them when i am nervous, would be interested in answers to this

Answer 5

It's hard to break habit's, I have just had to make myself aware of what I was doing and stop myself.....but I have done it.... so, good luck to ya sweetie....

Answer 6

Do Yoga or say all the time you have nothing to say some "mantra" to calm down your mind. It will work. Believe me.

Answer 7

sit on your hands or wear a hat

Answer 8

Try sitting on your hands.....ummm.....always have pockets?

Answer 9

amputate your fingers